Video on New HPMB® Machinable Composite Bearings

A new 4:18 minute video from GGB Bearing Technology features the company’s HPMB® fiber-reinforced composite bearings. Produced by a filament winding process, the bearings combine a fiberglass backing and self-lubricating liner material that is fully machinable to precise tolerances (I.D. IT7), either by GGB or after installation.

The bearings are particularly well suited for hydropower water turbines, where they have been tested and approved for use by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In these applications, the bearings provide dimensional stability, high load capacity, shock and edge-loading resistance, corrosion resistance, low friction, compact lightweight construction, no moisture absorption, environmentally friendly grease-free operation and maintenance-free performance.

In addition, the bearings’ extremely low coefficient of friction (0.068) enables turbine designers to use smaller servomotors to reduce overall turbine size and cost. HPMB® bearings are also suitable for industrial applications, where their ability to withstand heavy loads and slow speeds and provide precise tolerances allow them to replace traditional greased bronze bearings.